94-year-old accomplishes lifelong dream of getting a college degree

WAUKESHA, Wis. (WDJT) – A 94-year-old woman is proving you’re never too old to fulfill your dream.

Norma Zeirke just accomplished her lifelong goal of becoming a college graduate.

She always wanted to go to Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, since she was a child.

When she was younger, she wanted to get a degree in nursing, but money was tight for her family.

“My parents thought they would like to see me go to college, but I couldn’t go,” Zeirke said.

So, Zeirke’s memory care facility reached out to the university to see if they could do something special for her at age 94.

Kelsey DeMarais, Carroll University’s director of marketing and communications, said the university was thrilled to get the request.

And seven decades later, Zeirke got her degree.

While it’s not the nursing degree she wanted as a young adult, Zeirke was awarded an honorary bachelor’s degree in humane letters, given to those who have distinguished themselves through humanitarian and philanthropic contributions to society.

“I was just so thrilled to have them give that to me. It was something I never would have expected,” she said.

Zeirke’s family was there to see her achievement, including her granddaughter who graduated from Carroll University.

Now, they have two Carroll alums in the family.

Zeirke has a message for students today.

“I would tell them not to give up. Just to keep trying,” she said.

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